Laurie Faria Stolarz is a successful American author, well-known for her young adult, fiction, and fantasy novels. She was born on May 5, 1972, in Salem, Massachusetts, a city that later influenced her writing through its infamous 1692 witch trials. Stolarz's works often include witchcraft/Wiccan and magical elements, reflecting her upbringing in this historic and culturally rich town.
Raised in Salem, Stolarz pursued her higher education at Merrimack College and later received a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston. Her writing career took off with her popular Blue is for Nightmares series, which blends elements of mystery and romance. This series, featuring teenage protagonists, includes four books: Blue is for Nightmares, White is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, and Red is for Remembrance, as well as a companion graphic novel, Black is for Beginnings.
In addition to the Blue is for Nightmares series, Stolarz has written several other successful book series, such as the Torch series and the Dark House series. She has also penned standalone books, contributed to Amanda Valentino's series called Amanda Project, and collaborated with other authors like Melissa Marr, Gabrielle Zevin, Justine Larbalestier, and Scott Westerfeld on short story collections. Her other notable series include the Touch series, Project 17, and Shutter, as well as standalone novels like Bleed.
With millions of books sold worldwide and translations into thirty languages, Stolarz has made a significant impact on young adult literature. Her titles have been recognized on various awards lists, and some have been developed into podcast series and optioned for TV. Her latest release, The Last Secret You'll Ever Keep, came out in winter 2021, as a companion book to Jane Anonymous, which was named a 2020 Best Book for Young Adults by Kirkus.